Odd-even scheme: Delhi people wake up to vehicle restrictions on New Year

New Delhi: The ambitious odd-even scheme of the Delhi government that will restrict movement of private cars on the roads of the national capital for 15 days is all set to roll out today, with the city police assuring full commitment to its enforcement.

Thousands of civil defence volunteers will be deployed to assist the Traffic Police, enforcement teams of Delhi government's transport department and authorised sub-divisional magistrates, to implement the scheme which will kick in at 8 am today.

Under the scheme, private cars having odd registration numbers will be allowed to ply on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates. "So, today will be the day of the odd and anyone found violating the scheme will have to bear a Rs 2,000 penalty," said a traffic police official who has been briefed on the scheme by his seniors.

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander said traffic officials will anyway be present till 3 am to check on flouting of traffic rules during year-end revelry.

The Delhi government, with the help of Traffic Police, yesterday conducted a rehearsal ahead of the roll out of the scheme and hundreds of civil defence volunteers were seen assisting police teams in several parts of the city.

Top traffic cop Chander was himself taking stock of the situation on field. "Yesterday's rehearsal was more of an awareness drive and warm up for the volunteers who shall be pressed into service from today," said a senior traffic official.